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• Clingmans Dome to Elkmont Conservation History Hike

  • When
    07/27/2024
  •  
    7:30 AM
  • Location
    Jakes Creek Trail parking area, Elkmont, GSMNP
  • Spaces left
    6

  To help the club celebrate its Centennial Year, a reenactment of the famous S.O.S. Wilderness hike seems very appropriate. Back in 1966, SMHC and five other hiking clubs got together and organized a hike in protest of a new over mountain road proposed by the NPS Director at that time right through the heart of the Smokies wilderness. It is estimated that 576 hikers participated. There is a famous picture of Harvey Broome addressing the group before the hike. This effort plus others were successful in canceling any further plans for the road project. The club also reenacted the same hike in 2009 at the celebration of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park 75th anniversary. The route we will hike begins at Clingmans Dome parking lot and goes west on the AT to Miry Ridge trail which we follow down to Jake’s Creek trail on to Elkmont. The hike is 15.6 miles mostly downhill. We hope to provide more historical details on the hike. A shuttle bus is being arranged to simplify the driving with the $60 cost being split amongst all participants. Since the capacity of the bus is 24, the group size will be limited to that number. Meet at Jake’s Creek trail parking at Elkmont 7:30 am. Don’t forget a GSMNP parking pass will be required. Rated difficult due to length and elevation loss. Shuttle driving distance one way is 30 miles. Please register early with the leaders to help with planning.

  Leaders: Ed Fleming & Pat Watts

  Leader contact information is included under Additional Information in the email you receive after registration.

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• Wednesday Hike: Little River Trail-Huskey Gap Trail-Sugarland Mountain Trail-Fighting Creek Gap Rd Loop

  • When
    07/31/2024
  •  
    8:30 AM
  • Location
    Little River trailhead, Elkmont, GSMNP

  Register

  Our loop hike will begin on the Little River Trail out of Elkmont before turning onto the Huskey Gap Trail in about 2.5 miles. We head back toward Elkmont on the Sugarland Mountain Trail turning onto Fighting Creek Gap Rd before taking the old road manway to Elkmont. Nine miles. Moderate. Meet at the Kroger location in Alcoa next to a KARM store to leave at 7:30 am or at Little River Trailhead by 8:30am. Drive 70 miles RT at .07 / mile = $4.90. Carpooling is encouraged due to limited parking at the trailhead.

  Leader: David Grab

  Leader contact information is included under Additional Information in the email you receive after registration.

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• AT Work Trip

  • When
    08/03/2024
  •  
    8:00 AM
  • Location
    Newfound Gap parking lot, GSMNP

  Register

  For this summer work trip, we will backpack mulch out to the Icewater shelter storage bins. Mulch is pre-bagged in 20lb. bags (you're only expected to carry one!) and we have extra backpacking-style backpacks if needed. Although it doesn't sound very glamorous to carry mulch, it is a crucial part of backcountry waste management! Experienced and non- experienced mulch mules welcome! Hike to Icewater 6 miles RT. Meet at Newfound Gap parking lot at 8 am, or if you'd like to carpool, meet at Sugarlands Visitor Center at 7:15 am. Register in advance, so I know how much mulch to bring.

  Leader: Terry Martin
  Leader contact information is included under Additional Information in the email you receive after registration.

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• SMHC Annual Election Picnic 2024

  • When
    08/10/2024
  •  
    9:00 AM
  • Location
    Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area, GSMNP

  Event schedule

  9:00 a.m.
  Hike to Little Greenbrier Schoolhouse and Walker Sisters cabin
  Approximately 3 miles-out and back
  
  11:30 a.m.
  Potluck lunch—please bring a dish to share
  The Social Committee will provide drinks, paper plates and utensils.
  
  Program
  Election of 2025 Officers
  2025 Hike Leader Sign-ups
  
  SMHC Centennial merchandise will be on sale
  Since Metcalf Bottoms is a popular place, it’s recommended to arrive early to find a parking place.
  GSMNP Parking Tags REQUIRED
  No registration is needed!! We look forward to seeing everyone!!
  The Social Committee

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• Wednesday Hike: Brushy Mountain via Trillium Gap Spur

  • When
    08/14/2024
  •  
    8:30 AM
  • Location
    Grotto Falls trailhead, Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, GSMNP

  Register

  Brushy Mountain may not be the tallest peak in the GSMNP, but it offers some of the best views. Total mileage for this out-and-back hike is 6.5 miles with an elevation gain of 1,700'. Rated moderate. An added feature is passing behind Grotto Falls at approximately the 1.2 mile mark. Our starting point is the Grotto Falls parking area on Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, which is about 1.4 miles after Cherokee Orchard Road turns into the RFM Nature Trail. Please note that this is a one-way road and you will exit onto Rte. 321 just east of Gatlinburg. Plan to meet at the Grotto Falls trailhead ready to hike at 8:30. Those that want to car pool from Cracker Barrel at I-40 Exit 398, southeast corner of parking lot at 7:00 a.m. Drive 76 miles round trip. @ 7 cents = $5.32 (O.K. to round to $5). The leader will meet the group at the trailhead, not the carpooling site.

  Leader: David Shepler

  Leader contact information is included under Additional Information in the email you receive after registration.

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• Off Trail Hike: Sweat Heifer Creek from Newfound Gap - Albert G. “Dutch Roth” Legacy Hike

  • When
    08/17/2024

  This hike is dedicated to early club member and leader, Dutch Roth (1890—1974). His many photographs of SMHC activities and Smokies scenery appear in collections available on the web. Roth frequented the high elevations of the park for many years and would not have missed this outing which takes place at cool, high elevations, and provides an entertaining stretch of off-trail rock hopping. After 3.7 trail miles (AT and down Sweat Heifer Trail) to the creek, our mile of fun begins. It’s a small, pretty creek. Midway is a climbable, neat, sloping solid rock face cascade. Topping out on the AT near the Boulevard junction, we’ll probably visit The Jumpoff too. Hike 8.6 miles RT. This is a moderate to difficult off-trail hike for up to 12 hikers. Previous off-trail hiking experience recommended. Call one of the leaders if you would like to sign up for this hike.

  Leaders: Mike Harrington and Cindy McJunkin

  To register, contact the leaders directly. You can find contact information in the August 2024 newsletter writeup for this hike.

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• Rainbow Falls to Mt. Le Conte

  • When
    08/17/2024
  •  
    7:00 AM
  • Location
    Rainbow Falls Trailhead, GSMNP
  • Spaces left
    20

  Register

  Qualifying Centennial Challenge Hike

  In 1924 this was the first official hike of the Smoky Mountains Hiking Club. There was no trail then; hikers followed Le Conte Creek up the mountain, past and above the falls. In the 1930s the Civilian Conservation Corps built today's trail on a more roundabout route. We start at the trailhead near the Rainbow Falls parking area on Cherokee Orchard Road. We ascend along the creek to the falls at mile 2.7, and continue to the Mt. Le Conte Lodge (~6,320 ft. elevation) at mile 6.7. We'll go 0.2 mile further to Cliff Top for lunch. Return the same way. Total, 13.8 miles and ~4,000 ft. climb. Rated Difficult for distance and elevation gain. For carpooling, meet at Cracker Barrel off I-40 at Exit 398 (1510 Cracker Barrel Lane, parking lot, southeast corner), at 5:45 am. Carpool fee for 74 miles RT @7 cents = $5.18 cash, OK to round to $5. Meet at the Rainbow Falls trailhead ready to start by 7:00 am.

  Leader: Eric Sundstrom

  Leader contact information is included under Additional Information in the email you receive after registration.

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• Easy Hike: UT Arboretum

  • When
    08/17/2024
  •  
    9:00 AM
  • Location
    UT Arboretum, 901 S Illinois Ave, Oak Ridge

  Register

  We’ll meet in the parking lot of The University of Tennessee Arboretum at 9:00am for an hour-long easy hike. The Arboretum is located at 901 S Illinois Ave, Oak Ridge. We will see some things that are at their peak in the summer and fall, such as the bog garden, the rain garden and the Elmore holly collection. There will be a bit about local history prior to the Manhattan project taking over this boot-legging farming “hollow,” as well.

  Leaders: Janet and Tim Bigelow

  Leader contact information is included under Additional Information in the email you receive after registration.
  

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• Twin Arches at Big South Fork

  • When
    08/24/2024
  •  
    9:00 AM
  • Location
    Twin Arches trailhead, BSF, Oneida, TN 37841

  Register

  The Twin Arches are one of the most unusual and beautiful geologic features in the Big South Fork. The Arches themselves may be reached by hiking a short trail of seven tenths of a mile one way. The hike is easy to moderate except for some very steep steps. The Twin Arches Loop is 4.5 miles long and includes some interesting rock overhangs (rock shelters) and cliffs, an old home site and the Charit Creek Lodge. The trail is moderate in difficulty and can be hiked in three to four hours. The Twin Arches trailhead is located on the western edge of the park off of Divide Road in Tennessee.

  We will start at the Twin Arches Trail, a .7 mile walk which will take you to the Twin Arches and the Twin Arches Loop Trail. We will then hike the Twin Arches Loop clockwise. We will descend about 400 feet from the arches to Charit Creek Lodge. At the Lodge you will find restrooms, and maybe even some refreshments. From there the trail follows along Station Camp Creek to an old home site known as Jake's Place. Past Jake's Place the trail once again climbs almost to the top of the plateau and follows the base of a cliff line back to the Twin Arches. Along this section are several huge rock shelters once used by Native Americans, early settlers and even niter miners. Upon reaching the Twin Arches you may return to the parking lot by climbing the stairs between the arches and following the Twin Arches Trail back.

  Total distance hiked will be 4.5. Those wanting to carpool plan to meet at the Hardee's on Buffalo Rd in Clinton (exit 122 from I 75) at 7:00 a.m. Drive from there is 75 miles. Round trip 150 miles @ 7 cents/miles = $10.50 to reimburse driver. We will meet at the Twin Arches trailhead at 9:00 a.m. Eastern standard Time. Be aware that the trailhead is in the Central Time Zone and cell coverage is very spotty. If you use Google maps it may be best to download directions ahead of time. Pre-register at www.smhclub.org AND with leader to help determine who is carpooling and who is meeting at the trailhead.

  Leader: David Liles

  Leader contact information is included under Additional Information in the email you receive after registration.

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• Wednesday Hike: Mount Sterling via Baxter Creek Trail

  • When
    08/28/2024
  •  
    8:45 AM
  • Location
    Big Creek parking lot, GSMNP

  Register

  This demanding out-and-back hike tops out at 5,820' at the fire tower. On a clear day, for those willing to climb the 60-foot-tall tower, the views include Mt. Cammerer, Max Patch and Clingmans Dome. Total mileage is 12.4 with an elevation gain of 4,200'! Rated difficult. For carpooling, meet at Cracker Barrel at I-40 Exit 398 (southeast corner of parking lot) at 7:30AM ,drive 116 miles @ 7 cents= $8.12(O.K. to round to $8). Or meet at Big Creek Picnic parking lot (east end), ready to hike at 8:45AM. The leader will meet the group at the trailhead, not the carpooling site.

  Leader: David Shepler

  Leader contact information is included under Additional Information in the email you receive after registration.

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• Big South Fork-Yahoo Falls Loop

  • When
    08/31/2024
  •  
    9:40 AM
  • Location
    Yahoo Falls trailhead, BSF, Kentucky 42653

  Register

  This hike will start at the Yahoo Falls trailhead in the Big South Fork near Whitley City, Kentucky. Yahoo Falls is the tallest waterfall in Kentucky at 113 feet. We will have the chance to explore the far northern part of the Big South Fork National Park. After visiting the falls we will take the trail to Yahoo Arch, Markers Arch, and loop around to Sheltowee Trace (National Recreation Trail) which allows us to make a large loop north, back to Yahoo Falls parking area. The geology and botany of the Cumberland Plateau is always interesting with lots of neat cliffs, caves and arches. This should be a fun day of exploration. Hike is 9.5 miles, rated moderate. Meet at Walmart parking lot off of I-75 in Clinton exit 122 at 8:00am or the Yahoo Falls trailhead @ 9:40am. [Drive is 135 miles round trip @ .07/mile = $9.45].

  Leader: Adam and Amanda Beal

  Leader contact information is included under Additional Information in the email you receive after registration.

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• AT Work Trip

  • When
    09/07/2024
  • Location
    Cosby Campground

  This work trip will focus on treadway rehab in the section between Mt Cammerer Fire Tower and Camel Gap. Access to the work area will be via the 2.5 mile Low Gap Trail, starting at the Cosby Campground. Specific locations of work will be based on prioritization of work needed. The SMHC Newsletter will provide details on what to bring and where we will meet.

  Leader: Mark Shipley
  Leader contact information is included under Additional Information in the email you receive after registration.

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• 2024 Centennial Banquet

  • When
    10/05/2024
  •  
    6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
  • Location
    Bearden Banquet Hall, 5806 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919

  Register

  On Saturday October 5, 2024, the Smoky Mountains Hiking Club is proud to host the capstone event of our 100th birthday! 2024 so far has been marked by so many wonderful events to celebrate our Club—let’s gather together in October, the same month 100 years ago when a group of visionary local leaders and residents hiked to Mt LeConte (without benefit of trails!) and “agreed that their inspiring experience should be shared with others…”

  • 6-6:45 pm: Reception with historical displays
  • 6:45 pm: Dinner
  • 7:30-8:15 pm: Speakers
  • • Christine Hoyer, Former Chief Backcountry Specialist with the GRSM, currently Employee Wellness Program Analyst for the National Park Service.
    • Keynote Address: Charles Maynard, Pastor of Generosity & Traditional Worship at Cokesbury United Methodist Church in Knoxville, first Executive Director of Friends of the Smokies, author of more than 30 books and numerous articles, storyteller and avid hiker.
  • 8:15 pm: Premiere of “100 Years of The Smoky Mountains Hiking Club,” video produced by Ann Farrar, SMHC member.

  There will be many other things to enjoy during the evening. For example, each attendee will have the opportunity to share a written memory or short tale about the club or a special person connected to it. These memories will be collected and archived.

  Where: Bearden Banquet Hall, 5806 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919
  When: Saturday October 5, 2024, 6-9pm
  Cost: $40 per person
  Registration Deadline: Friday September 27, 2024 but you are encouraged to register early. Seating is limited for this event.
  

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• AT Work Trip

  • When
    10/12/2024
  • Location
    Newfound Gap, GSMNP

  This work trip will focus on treadway rehab in the section between Newfound Gap to Icewater Springs. This is our most heavily used section of trail, and it sees a lot of wear each season. Specific locations of work will be based on prioritization of work needed. The SMHC Newsletter will provide details on what to bring and where we will meet.

  Leader: Franklin LaFond
  Leader contact information is included under Additional Information in the email you receive after registration.

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• AT Work Trip

  • When
    11/02/2024
  • Location
    GSMNP

  November is time to start winding down the trail maintenance season. This work day will be focused on cleaning, sharpening, repairing, inventorying, and storing the club’s tools for the winter. The SMHC Newsletter will provide details on what to bring and where we will meet.

  Leader: Franklin LaFond
  Leader contact information is included under Additional Information in the email you receive after registration.

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